Firefighting can be dangerous. Movies such as “Backdraft” or “Chicago Fire,” highlight the dangers of working in dangerous environments and saving lives by climbing on top of fire-bombing structures.
These shows do not reveal hidden dangers. These hazards can lead to more deaths on duty and after retirement for our men and women over time than the traumatic events that make these shows so captivating.
Since I have been a firefighter for nearly 18 years, it is important to recognize that avoiding these hidden dangers is as important as being prepared for the “Big One”. I believe that our enthusiasm, energy, and vitality should not be diminished when we leave the firehouse to begin our long-earned retirement.
Firefighters’ Negative Health Effects
These are the facts. Firefighters have a 9% higher chance of developing cancer from poor sleep, stress, obesity, exercise, excess exertion, and being exposed to carcinogens during a 20-30 year career than the general population.
This is not the only problem. According to a recent NIH study, 45% of all on-duty deaths result from cardiovascular events. Micro-dosing can cause us to become ill or burden our loved ones.
Therefore, I believe that it is essential to start addressing and attacking these risk factors from day one. It is important to be aware of our diet, exercise, recovery, and exposure.
Diet, exercise, and sleeping are the low-hanging fruits for me. Our diet, PT and sleep hygiene are all our responsibility. It is not healthy to be blasé about any of these things.
This is exactly why I teamed up with Xendurance in Arizona, a supplement company that was founded by an Olympian. The CEO is also a fellow Arizona firefighter. Their motto is “Live healthier longer,” and I couldn’t agree with them more.
The Same Mission
Since I first heard the phrase, I have kept repeating it. Xendurance shares the same goal. They believe in a 360-degree ecosystem for health and wellbeing that includes diet, exercise and mental wellness.
While I do take most of XNDs products, I have identified five products that I feel address the issues that first responders face every day that contribute to the risks mentioned above. These products are my “BIG5 FOR FIRE”!
The Big 5 for fire
Here are my Big 5 and I’ll share why each supplement is so great!
1. Extreme Endurance
Extreme endurance is a must-have for all firefighters. It is clinically proven that it reduces soreness, increases stamina, and speeds recovery. This is all vital in the firefighting profession.
This job is full of oxidative stress, which can lead to many degenerative diseases and sleep deprivation. This stuff is essential! It’s so good!
2. Focus
Focus is what I call the “Energy Drink Killer”. The fire service has a serious problem with pre-workouts and energy drinks. You can find pre-workout pills and cans of energy with all kinds of bad ingredients.
FOCUS is a natural 130 mg caffeine-green tea combination with L-Theanine and beetroot powder. It also contains Alpha GPC, which is a nootropic that can help you feel more in control of your mind and body. What? There is no 30-ingredient list that you need to cipher. It is a clean and safe alternative to any energy drink or pre-election. Yes, you heard it right! Grab some and get rid of the can!
3. Collagen + Greens
We are skilled cooks in the fire department, but that does not necessarily mean we can cook well. We eat more than we need to due to rising food costs and our busy lives. This product is packed with powerful antioxidants and dual types of grass-fed collagen. We don’t pay enough attention to it.
The Type I and III Collagen Peptides are of particular importance. You may be wondering why Type I peptides are so important for healthy hair, skin, nails and hair growth. Given all the carcinogens that we are exposed, I will take any help I can to repair the surface-level damage.
The Type III Collagen Peptides are essential because they restore bone health and increase joint mobility. This product helped me to recover from a recent rotator-cuff surgery and got me back on the road (full duty) within 6 months. This product tastes great! Close your eyes and you won’t even know that you are drinking something green and healthy.
4. Creamer + Adaptogens
We all love coffee! If you love creamer, you will know what the fire station offers!
The preservative-filled, pump-filled dispenser with God knows what can be found right next to the commercial stainless steel coffeemaker. It can sit on the counter for several weeks without refrigeration. What in the world is that good for?
It can’t, short answer! XND’s Creamer + Adaptogens is a healthier alternative. It contains top-quality organic Ashwagandha, Reshi, and organic coconut powder. This stuff also has MCT oil and organic coconut powder.
5. Deep Sleep
Sleep deprivation is a major problem for firefighters, as we’ve already stated. It is not just a problem for short-term health, but it can also lead to long-term neurological and physical illnesses.
It is difficult to do this because of many factors such as family, work stress, and having to get up every hour.
Deep Sleep is an all natural formula that works. It doesn’t leave you feeling groggy the next morning. This formula combines a small amount of Melatonin, Gaba and Tryptophan with 5-HTP. All ingredients have been individually shown to calm, de-stress, and promote healthy sleeping cycles.
This product is a great buy. My Whoop strap has helped me track my sleep and almost every time I get deeper sleep cycles, I feel more refreshed.
Live Healthier Longer
Here it is! My “Big 5 For Fire”! This list is not intended to be a complete list of all the things you should take, but rather a list of some of my favorite low-hanging fruits and issues related to dietary and health in the fire service. These supplements and any other supplements are not magic bullets that replace solid whole-food nutrition and consistent exercise.
Supplements are meant to complement the foundational needs, as their name suggests. Xendurance, I believe, is the best supplement company in the industry to do that. This company is proud of its ingredients, research dosages, and the proof of efficacy.
Follow me @Natervision to get more information about Xendurance and everything I do to keep healthy and ready for you to respond.
